Exclusive* interview with Gov. Tim Pawlenty

posted at 2:41 pm on July 23, 2012 by Ed Morrissey

Earlier today, I had an opportunity to speak with Governor Tim Pawlenty, who spoke with me about his own record as Minnesota’s chief executive, the need to elect Mitt Romney in November, and give a description of what Romney should look for in a running mate. Of course, Pawlenty has drawn a lot speculation about his own chances to join the ticket, but he reminds me that he was “on the short list” four years ago, too. For now, he’s happy to make appearances and campaign for Romney as a volunteer. “I think I can help him best in other ways,” Pawlenty told me, “but obviously, anybody would be honored to be asked to consider serving in such a position.”

We spoke about the economy as well, in a couple of different contexts. “This is going to be an election about the future direction of America,” Pawlenty said early in the interview, adding later that the difference is “government versus free enterprise.” Pawlenty didn’t bring up Obama’s “you didn’t build that” comment, but Pawlentye clearly rejects that approach. As the new report that poverty will probably rise to its highest level in decades demonstrates, “the economy continues to sputter,” Pawlenty said. “The recovery, if there is one, is tepid and anemic.” The economy simply hasn’t produced the jobs that keeps people from falling into poverty. “We have the lowest rate of business formation in 30 years,” Pawlenty said, “and that and more adds up to a picture of economic challenge and despair.”

Bottom line? “[Obama’s] rhetoric, his speeches, don’t pay people’s grocery bills, don’t put gas in the car, they don’t pay the mortgage, they don’t pay for health insurance,” Pawlenty concludes. “You’ve got to actually have results, and in this regard, he’s failed.” Indeed, and that’s why Team Obama is reaching for every distraction they can possibly find to keep the election from being a referendum on Obamanomics. Pawlenty remains solidly on topic, and that’s good news for Mitt Romney.

Addendum: Pawlenty’s website now only has a cryptic message of “Please come back later,” but don’t read anything into that. The site had been funded first by Pawlenty’s PAC, and then his presidential campaign. A source on the latter tells me that when the campaign officially closed, so did the funding for the site, and a staffer put the message up. The message may be changed to something more appropriate just to avoid unnecessary speculation, but there are no more plans for the site at this time.

* – Using the media definition of “exclusive,” which means no one else was on the call at the time.

“This is going to be an election about the future direction of America,”

Amazing man that Pawlenty, this may have been the first time a potential, let alone a candidate, has ever made that point.
The rest was more of the same blah, blah, blah…can’t they think for themselves.
However, he does make Mitt sound exciting…

Does anybody really believe Pawlenty would even be considered if half his staff hadn’t jumped over to Romney’s campaign? They are no doubt pushing him day and night….sort of like Ed.
Believe me, I’m not for choosing Perry, but he’s a three terms governor of the most successful state in the union and isn’t even mentioned, yet a mileage taxing, moderate like Pawlenty is?
Neither Pawlenty or Portman should even be considered. If you want a moderate who would insure victory pick Rice. If you want a conservative pick Rubio, Jindal or Ryan. End of story.

He maybe nice but is sooo boring! Seriously! Still like Gov. Susanna Martinez but if you are going the boring route at least go for Portman from Ohio and speaks Spanish and has foreign policy experience.

“The truth about federal energy subsidies, including federal subsidies for ethanol, is that they have to be phased out,” declared Pawlenty. “We simply can’t afford them anymore.”

You should see the burned out cornfields in Illinois, Missouri and Iowa this summer. We simply cannot afford to keep subsidizing corn to use in gasoline. As for VP? Um… no thanks.

Fallon on July 23, 2012 at 3:54 PM

That plays well in a sound bite for Republicans, but…

Pawlenty signed legislation mandating that all gas sold in Minnesota contain 20 percent ethanol by 2013, up from 10 percent…. In 2005, Pawlenty also urged other states, at a meeting of the Governors’ Ethanol Coalition (which had 31 member states at the time), to mandate that all gasoline contain 10 percent ethanol by 2010.

You want to shake up the race…select Liz Cheney, watch the liberal heads explode…

right2bright on July 23, 2012 at 2:50 PM

heh

Hope Romney finds a dark horse and not a plug

Romney / PALIN (or) WEST 2012!

Pork-Chop on July 23, 2012 at 3:43 PM

Palin was so far out she is in again. She would be an audience magnet if she can contain her family before the tabloids finish redefining them down

The Club figures her for road kill so they have moved on

I hate the way the Club moves to destroy the ones they fear and loathe, like Bachman. McCain ran like a little demon to set up Bachman. He ran so fast, I feared he might drop his script

MNHawk on July 23, 2012 at 3:44 PM

Pawlenty has been dropped on the base so many times it makes you wonder why they think he will eventually stick. There is a difference between morphing and molting, although the Club thinks no one notices